How Long Do Pleco Fish Live in the USA
The average lifespan for plecostomus is 10 to 15 years.
How long do Plecos live in captivity?
In pristine conditions, the typical Common Pleco lifespan is between 10 and 15 years! They have a longer life expectancy than most tropical fish, so be prepared for years of care.
How do I know if my pleco is dying?
If your pleco is losing its color and slowly turning white, this might be an indication that it’s either sick or dying. Your pleco needs immediate care in both cases. Plecos turn white for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to: poor nutrition, disease, stress, or inadequate tank conditions.
How big will a pleco fish Get?
As many, many aquarists have discovered, one of the big problems with the common plecos is that they get big. Really big. These guys tend to max out, in the average home aquarium, at between 12 and 24 inches, and some can get bigger. This puts the fish at a size that is far too large for average home aquariums.
What size tank does a pleco need?
Housing Requirements for Plecostomus For example, the common pleco, Hypostomus plecostomus, can grow to over 12″ and will eventually need an aquarium of at least 75 gallons, while Otocinclus will be perfectly content in a 10-gallon tank.
How long can a pleco live without food?
Overview chart for individual fasting tolerances of popular freshwater fish Type of fish: Period it can safely live with no food: Plecos 10 to 14 days Oscars up to 2 weeks Swordtail fish maximum of 14 days Corydora catfish up to 2 weeks.
Can I have 2 plecos in the same tank?
“No” to Multiple Plecos Together When plecos reach maturity, they simply cannot get along with fellow plecos. They can be highly territorial around each other. Therefore, it can be extremely dangerous ever to house them together.
How do Pleco sleep?
They remain motionless for periods of time. They lay on the bottom or an object in the aquarium. They don’t react to things going on around them. They exhibit this behavior at about the same time each day, usually when the aquarium light is turned off.
Are plecos Hardy?
Bristlenose Plecos are quite hardy and can adapt to a wide range of water parameters. They require temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees. Though, somewhere in the middle of that range is ideal. As for pH balance, it should be between 6.5 and 7.5.
Can pleco live in cold water?
Can Plecos Survive Cold Water? Most plecos are tolerant of waters ranging from 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (18-30°C), though they prefer temperatures between about 75 and 82°F (24-28°C). With that being said, there are some pleco species that are hardier than others, and may be able to withstand some cooler waters.
Will pleco outgrow tank?
The main disadvantage of a pleco is that they grow unpredictably; every pleco seems to grow in their own good time. Plecos are not recommended for tanks under 10 gallons. They are sure to outgrow a 10-gallon tank eventually, although it will most likely take years.
Does Pleco eat fish poop?
What fish eat poop? As far as we are aware, there are no freshwater fish that have poop as a necessary part of their diet. Some fish such as Corydoras and Plecostomus catfish are said to eat poop – but even if they did, they still require feeding just as any other fish would.
Why does my pleco stay at the top?
Plecos will gulp at the surface during water changes if the change in temperature is too rapid and too intense. This is because oxygen levels in water are affected by the temperature of the water.
Why does my pleco swim upside down?
The impaired buoyancy in fish is caused by a malfunction of their swim bladder. When affected by Swim Bladder Disorder fish will often lose the ability to properly swim. They will float uncontrollably to the top of the aquarium, turned upside down, while still being alive.
How long can a pleco live out of water?
Plecos can live up to 30 hours outside water if they store enough oxygen in their bellies — this is why plecos are sometimes seen gulping air at the water’s surface.
How often should I feed my pleco?
While Plecos do eat detritus and algae, it will still need its diet supplemented. Feed your Pleco every day or every other day with Pleco-specific food. One to two times per week, feed your Pleco pieces of cucumber, zucchini, or lettuce (not iceberg).
Do algae wafers sink?
Conveniently processed in disc-like shapes, algae wafers can be dropped directly into your tank and, within a matter of minutes, they will sink to the bottom and begin to soften.
How many plecos Can I put in a 55 gallon tank?
How Many Bristlenose Plecos in a 55 Gallon Tank? Based on our own 2 gallons of water per inch of fish rule, and seeing as each pleco can grow to around 5 inches in length, we would recommend having no more than 5 bristlenose plecos in a 55-gallon tank. Remember that males can get aggressive with each other.
Can pleco live alone?
Bristlenose plecos can absolutely live alone in a tank. They’re perfectly happy by themselves and don’t always need tank mates to keep them company.
How quickly do plecos grow?
Plecos are known to have a long time span of 12 years if they live under suitable conditions. During the initial five years, they grow to their full size. On average, the full size of common plecos is up to 20-25 inches. They grow very fast, up to 3-5 inches approx in the first year.
Why won’t my pleco eat algae wafers?
If your pleco ignores the food, they may need to be fed less often. Offer at least one algae wafer per day. Your home aquarium will not provide enough algae to keep your pleco full. Give your pleco an algae wafer at night before you go to bed, as plecos are nocturnal and eat at nighttime.
What temperature does a pleco need?
72-82°F Care Difficulty Most are good for beginning aquarists, however, there are a few species that require more advanced care Average Adult Size 1.5 to 12+ inches long, depending on species Diet Most species are omnivores Minimum Habitat Size 20+ gallons, depending on species Water Temperature 72-82°F.